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CAALL Bulletin - June 2009

Table of Contents

Alberta's Reservist Leave now in Effect

Since June, Alberta reservists can celebrate added job security while serving their country. Alberta’s Employment Standards Code is now amended to establish unpaid job-protected leave for members of the reserve force. This applies to certain military activities and operations in Canada and abroad, including annual training.

The unpaid leave applies to international deployments, along with certain domestic operations, such as natural disasters. Amendments to the Code also provide reservists with 20 days’ unpaid leave each calendar year for annual training.

Most reservists serve in the Canadian Forces on a part-time basis. About 45 per cent of Canadian reservists maintain either full or part-time civilian jobs, and about 40 per cent are students. Reservist leave is intended to provide unpaid job protection to reservists while they are serving their country.

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Truck Safety Report Examines Heavy Truck Collisions in B.C.

A new report examines the state of safety in B.C.’s trucking industry and identifies key contributing factors to collisions involving heavy trucks on provincial roads. Best Practices for Truck Safety is an evidence-based research report developed by the Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF) with the support of WorkSafeBC, the B.C. Trucking Association, and the Trucking Safety Council of B.C.

 

The report outlines some of the best safety practices currently being used in B.C. and identifies leading programs in Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec. Safety programs in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand are identified as prominent in research, legislation, regulation, fleet safety management, and education. Based on cause of collision data in B.C. and on current practices in Canada and other countries, best practices models for government, the motor carrier industry and police services are outlined. An executive summary of the report is also available. The full report can be viewed at www.worksafebc.com or www.bctrucking.com.

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The Government of Canada Introduces New Resource for Employers Interested in Hiring Internationally Trained Workers

A new resource to help guide employers through the hiring process for internationally trained workers was announced in June by Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney.

The Employer’s Roadmap will help employers meet their labour needs and will allow skilled newcomers to put their knowledge and training to work in Canada more quickly.

The Employer’s Roadmap addresses questions many employers have about hiring internationally trained workers, such as how to recruit, assess and select them. It also includes suggestions on how to integrate and retain these workers once they become new employees. Information is also provided on the range of national and regional resources available across the country to support employers.

For more information or to obtain copy of the Employer’s Roadmap, please visit the FCRO website at www.credentials.gc.ca.

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2008 Employment Equity Act Annual Report-Diversity

The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Labour, tabled on June 17 the 21st Annual Report on the Employment Equity Act in the House of Commons.

The Employment Equity Act Annual Report describes the progress made by federally regulated employers in creating a workforce that is more representative of the country's diverse population. The report examines the hiring, retention and promotion of the four groups designated under the legislation: women, Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities and members of visible minorities. The findings in the report, which analyzes 2007 data, indicate that improvements have been made in the representation of Aboriginal peoples and members of visible minorities, and that efforts must continue in order to increase the representation levels of women and persons with disabilities in the workforce.

The report is available at www.labour.gc.ca.

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SAFE Work Campaign Dares Youth to Assess the Risk in Manitoba

Building on the momentum of SAFE Manitoba's award-winning Spot the Hazard campaign, the Workers Compensation Board (WCB), in partnership with Workplace Safety and Health, is launching the next phase of its youth campaign.

 

Targeted at young workers aged 15 to 24, the campaign focuses on the second part of the SAFE Work risk management acronym: Assess the risk.

   

To ensure youth learn about workplace safety solutions, media components such as billboards, radio, posters and cinema advertising will drive visitors to safemanitoba.com where they will experience workplace safety and health solutions through an online quiz. Upon correctly assessing the risk, youth will receive a ballot to enter to win a MacBook or iPod. They can also join the Facebook group, The Youth of SAFE Work Manitoba.

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Pay Equity Adjustments for Private-Sector Groups to Begin in 2010-11 in Nouveau-Brunswick

The provincial government is committed to providing financial support to achieve pay equity for five private-sector employee groups, starting in 2010-11. Mary Schryer, Minister responsible for the status of women, made this announcement today in the legislative assembly.

The minister announced that the next group of private-sector employees to begin the process toward implementing and achieving pay equity will be human service workers in community residences serving children and adults with significant need.

The government is already working with the private sector by conducting pay job evaluation to result in pay equity for the following groups: child-care workers; home support workers; nursing home workers; and transition home workers.

The provincial government will support these five private-sector groups with pay equity adjustments beginning in the next fiscal year, pending the results of those job evaluation processes.

The Pay Equity Act, given first reading last week, will take effect April 1, 2010, and will apply to all parts of the public sector. The legislation was announced exactly 20 years after the first Pay Equity Act (1989) was introduced.

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The Government of Canada Launches Online Consultations on the Ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, today invited Canadians to provide their views on the ratification and implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Beginning June 25, until July 31, 2009, stakeholders and other Canadians can provide their views on the Convention online at www.hrsdc.gc.ca/consultations.

The Government of Canada is seeking the views of Canadians, particularly those in the disability community, in order to make an informed decision on the ratification of the Convention. These views could play an important role in the development of future measures.

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada is conducting a fully accessible online consultation. It is part of a core group of federal departments working on the ratification process. Federal departments, along with the provincial and territorial governments, are reviewing existing laws and policies to determine if they are in compliance with the treaty provisions.

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Government of Canada Introduces Amendments to Protect Vulnerable Foreign Workers from Human Trafficking

The Government of Canada will reintroduce amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) to help protect vulnerable foreign workers such as exotic dancers and live-in caregivers who could be victims of exploitation.

The bill was tabled in the previous Parliament but died on the order paper when an election was called.

The bill would give the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration the authority to instruct immigration officers to deny work permits to vulnerable foreign workers who may be trafficked into Canada and forced to perform humiliating and degrading jobs against their will.

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Quebec clears two new steps in the creation of a new economic space between it and France

In June, the Government of Quebec cleared two major steps in the creation of a new economic space.

The National Assembly passed a bill allowing for the implementation of the Entente entre le Québec et la France en matière de reconnaissance mutuelle des qualifications professionnelles (agreement on mutual recognition of skilled workers' competencies), and other similar agreements. The government also tabled a bill with regard to labour mobility in Canada.

The bill allowing for the implementation of the France-Quebec agreement is a result of commitments made on October 17, 2008 between Premier Charest and President Sarkozy to facilitate and accelerate the acquisition of a licence to practice a profession or trade regulated in both jurisdictions.

Since this agreement was signed, mutual recognition agreements have been finalized for 17 trades and professions.

The free movement of skilled workers is a measure for reducing labour shortages that threaten several industries and impede economic growth in Quebec.

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Ontario Government Urges Workers to Protect Themselves from Heat Stress

Hot and humid summer days bring an added danger - heat stress. The province of Ontario has tips and information to help employers and workers learn how to protect themselves from this seasonal hazard.

Heat stress can affect anyone, including the young and fit, and can be a concern in many workplaces.  Symptoms of heat stress can include: excessive sweating, headache, rashes, cramping, dizziness and fainting.

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Website to Help Find Canadian Health and Safety Information

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) has released a new version of the CanOSH website. CanOSH brings together federal, provincial and territorial resources, providing convenient access to links and information from Canadian government agencies responsible for workplace health and safety, workers’ compensation boards, and CCOHS.

Every year, thousands of people visit CanOSH to find information to assist them in meeting their compliance needs, improve workplace health and safety practices and, reduce workplace fatalities, injuries and illnesses. With the new navigation system, Canadians can easily search, find and compare what information is available to them in each jurisdiction using a map of Canada from a list in the new sidebar.

CCOHS first launched CanOSH in 1998, with participation from federal, provincial and territorial governments to create one of the first health and safety websites of its kind. Since that time, there have been many reorganizations, restructurings and changes within the partner organizations. To reflect these changes as well as maintain the integrity and quality of the website, CCOHS redesigned the site and updated the content.

The CanOSH website can be found at www.canoshweb.org.

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Federal Apprenticeship Completion Grant now Available for Eligible Applicants

The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology), on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, announced that eligible apprentices may apply for the Apprenticeship Completion Grant starting July 2, 2009.

The Government of Canada is investing $40 million per year in this important program that will not only encourage people to complete their apprenticeship training and become certified tradespeople, but will also enhance their ability to work anywhere in Canada by supporting the Interprovincial Red Seal Standards Program.

Apprentices will be able to apply for the Apprenticeship Completion Grant starting July 2, 2009, with eligibility retroactive to January 1, 2009. Application forms and further information will be available through Service Canada's Web site or by phone at 1-866-742-3644 (TTY: 1 8669099757).

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Partnership Agreement Between the Commission de la santé et de la sécurité du travail du Québec and Revenu Québec

Companies could soon pay their Commission de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CSST) insurance premiums at one location, depending on how often they currently make their payments to Revenu Québec.

Following the adoption of Bill 35 by the Quebec National Assembly, the CSST offered a new insurance rate calculation method that is better suited to employers' needs, preventing them from having to estimate their salaries at the beginning of the year.

The new method of payment takes effect on January 1, 2011. Until then, employers will be informed of changes to be made to their payroll systems.

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Appointments/Retirements/Announcements

Announcement of the Members of the Employment Insurance Working Group

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced on June 29 the appointment of the Government's members of the Employment Insurance working group.

The Government's representatives on the working group are:

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Parliament/Legislatures/Assemblies

Adjournment date Resumption date
Alberta June 3, 2009 October 26, 2009
British Columbia General Election
May 12, 2009
House of Commons June 19, 2009 September 14, 2009
Manitoba June 11, 2009 September 14, 2009
New Brunswick June 19, 2009 November 24, 2009
Newfoundland-Labrador May 28, 2009
Northwest Territories June 4, 2009 October 15, 2009
Nova Scotia May 4, 2009 General Election
June 9, 2009
Nunavut June 18, 2009 November 24, 2009
Ontario June 4, 2009 September 14, 2009
Prince Edward Island May 15, 2009
Québec June 18, 2009 September 15, 2009
Saskatchewan May 14, 2009 October 21, 2009
Yukon May 14, 2009
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Upcoming Events

Event Location Date
58th Annual Conference, Assocation of Labor Relations Agencies (ALRA) Oakland Marriott City Center, Oakland, California July 18-22, 2009
B.C. Municipal Occupational Health and Safety Conference TELUS Convention Centre, Whistler, B.C. September 13-15, 2009
68th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association Administrators of Labour Legislation (CAALL) Delta Bessborough Hotel, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan September 21-23, 2009
29th Annual WorkSafeNB Health and Safety Conference Saint John, New Brunswick September 27-29, 2009
Distribution of awards innovation in occupational health and safety Centre des sciences, Montréal, Quebec October 22, 2009
8th Annual Alberta Health & Safety Conference and Trade Fair Calgary Stampede Round Up Centre, Calgary, Alberta October 26-28, 2009
Grand Rendez-vous en santé et sécurité du travail Palais des congrès, Montréal, Quebec November 3-4, 2009
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) Forum III Gatineau, Quebec March 8-9, 2010
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